While inflation may have finally peaked across many regions, a sense of relief is short-lived. Prices aren't going back to pre-pandemic levels, but rather setting new, higher baselines. The ongoing increases continue to strain household budgets, particularly when it comes to groceries. Grocery bills are surging, with Americans now spending $1,000 per month on average, according to USA Today. This translates to a larger chunk of household income dedicated to food than at any point in the past 30 years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a staggering 21% increase in grocery prices over ..read more

Editor’s note: Anna Petrova is an expert in transformation and modernization of mature supply chains and digital transformation. As a vice president of global supply chain at Kraft Heinz, she led the deployment of manufacturing excellence programs, cost optimization, and digital and customer excellence strategies for its Global Center of Supply Chain Excellence in Amsterdam. Prior to this role, Petrova headed up Ferrero and Conagra supply chains in Canada, as well as Kraft Heinz operations in Canada and North America, with a focus on profitable growth, service, value creation, productivity ext ..read more

Digital supply chain is the top supply chain trend of 2024. More and more organizations are shifting from physical to digital formats, requiring expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IOT), blockchain and more. Further, supply chain professionals must have a solid understanding of why each type of technology is useful, its potential applications, interpreting its output or analyzing the data it provides, and maximizing results. There are five main benefits of digital technology to be aware of: See it all, share it all: Real-time data from sensors and smart devices ..read more

This Earth Month, as we continue to think about supply chain sustainability, I want to acknowledge how far we’ve come as a society over the past few decades. Take reusable bags: It wasn’t so long ago that “Paper or plastic?” was the default question in the grocery checkout line. Now, many places charge customers who forget their greenbags. Here at ASCM, the circular supply chain has never been a more popular topic of conversation — or our sustainability standards more important.  According to a survey from PDI Technologies, 80% of consumers are “very or somewhat concerned” about the susta ..read more

Ordering items for delivery has become an integral part of everyday life. Whether a multi-day delivery of products from an e-commerce site, next-day groceries from a local supermarket, or a quick Uber Eats for lunch when you’re stuck at your desk, these fulfillment options save consumers time and give them access to a wider array of products. Pitney Bowes forecasts that home-delivery volumes across all segments will continue to increase, from 20.2 billion parcels delivered in 2020 to 32-39 billion in 2026. But this convenience comes at a cost. Most times, a person has to drive around an intern ..read more

Earth Day is right around the corner, serving as a timely reminder of the importance of sustainability and circularity in supply chains. While ASCM advocates for a year-round commitment to these essential goals, this moment is a valuable opportunity for industry professionals to reevaluate their company’s environmental impact and strategize for long-term positive outcomes. According to a KPMG survey of 100 CEOs, 55% anticipate significant returns from their sustainability investments within three-to-five years. Better yet, 19% expect similar results in less than three years. Plus, corporate le ..read more

AI continues to be a hot topic, and it’s becoming increasingly valuable in supply chain management. In fact, AI earned the number-three spot on ASCM’s Top 10 Supply Chain Trends in 2024, spotlighting advances happening at an unprecedented rate and offering many immediate benefits. To simplify what you need to know to use AI successfully, here’s an ASCM Insights Blog roundup of seven key takeaways for supply chain professionals. 1. There’s no need to fear: AI has been around — and we’ve been using it — for a long time. The concept of AI has been around for more than 70 years, since Alan Tu ..read more

Editor’s note: A recent article in ASCM’s Journal of Operations Management identifies the combinations of supply chain integration and big data analytics capabilities that help enable supply chains resilience. The paper explores how organizations can better coordinate their supply chains and use data effectively to become stronger and more adaptable in the face of disruptions. The following is a summary of the original research. The globalized nature of modern supply chains exposes companies to a wide range of risks, from natural disasters and political instability to pandemics and labor crise ..read more

When the Dali cargo ship lost power and struck the Francis Scott Key bridge, it was ruled an avoidable accident — one that tragically claimed the lives of six construction workers. It will be several months before the reason for the incident is found. Currently, one safety board is examining data from the ship’s electrical system, while others are exploring the possibility of adulterated fuel. Although maritime collisions are extremely rare, power loss and engine failure from fuel impurities occur more frequently. The Wall Street Journal reports that contamination has been the cause of several ..read more

Logistics professionals are in high demand. A survey of 1,000 supply chain and logistics decision-makers found that 76% of respondents are facing notable labor shortages. More than half indicated that positions for logistics knowledge workers — such as planners and analysts — were the most difficult to fill, followed by logistics managers. According to the ASCM Supply Chain Dictionary, logistics is the subset of supply chain management that controls the forward and reverse movement, handling, and storage of goods between origin and distribution points. Logistics managers handle the inbound and ..read more